The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1887-08-12

/ for another reason, instructed my lawyers
TO dispose OF my property. And that other
reason was a letter from Tom, received just
one week from his departure.
a pitiful letter-the outcry of a penite Mt
and almost broken heart. He had not ap-
propIiated the six hundred pounds, thank
God but he had been out and drinking,
with the money IN his possession, aud had
been robbed of it.
On, now grateful l was Every other
misfortune in the world might be borne
, with patience now, since Tom was not
dishonest.
He confessed to me thousand indiscre.
tIOns, folIies, sins; told me OF many and
serious debts that he had left behind him
Most startling OF all. he told me he was
married. and implOred me TO seek out and
protect his wife and child.
Toms wife and child Who was she :?
/ After the first surprise was over, l found
myself longing to see my new sister and the
little one.
went to the address Tom had sent me
relations home Disappointment met me.
Mrs. Searle and her child had gone.
They were behind with their rent" said
I u
so 1 couldn't keep her. She left to- day.
l returned home discouraged. l did not
want to see or speak to any one just then,
so 1t was peculiarly snnoyir to find that a
young woman, whom had employed to do
sewing more than a year ago. had called
and was waiting to see me.
went down to her. She arose to meet
me as entered the parlor. Little Eva Rob
insOn remembered the girl well-a pretty,
gentle, timid creature.
l started when saw that she had an in
FAINT in her arms.
why, what is This ?" cried.
"My baby" she said timidly. i've mar
ried since ! saw you last, miss"
1 sat down, and bace her do the same, and
then asked her what could do to serve
her.
To- sIIr Uurst into a passion. os
tears, and, rising suddenly. came and laid
the infant in my lap.
Have mercy on me % she cried, falling
on her knees This is your brothers. child
and mine, and IL am his wife 90
/ was proud girl. and this blow was a
heavy one. My brother so handsome. such
a favorite, so unfit for wife and child-he
might have married so advautsgeously, 1
thought, and here / was called upon TO well
come as sister my own sewing girl:
But 1 did. 1 may have shrunk from her
for an instant, perhaps. in the frs. surprise.
| but next minute, the thought of that other
disgrace, which Tom had not brought on
himself and me, and in my gratitude at es-
Gaping that / could not murmur
She was a dear little thing. too, after all ;
, and the baby charming Ah, 1 had reason
. to be thankful for tue comfort of their pres
ence SOON. For the very next day, meeting
an acquaintance In the street, she said:
And so / hear that your marriage is pos
poned. my dear"
, Ny heart sank down like lead.
"Who Informed you ? / asked, quietly.
"Hour intended bridegroom. Mr.. Har-
~ Hatton. himself. Is it not true ?''
Perfectly true" 1 answered.
And pOsponed until when?"
indefinitely
wrote the same day TO Harry:
You desire your freedom take It. You
will never be called upon to fulfill your
engagement with me-"
And he took me at nv word.
He called, certainly, and made a pretense
of explanation and regret. TIE almost en-
tire loss of my fortune had Influenced his
father, not himself; but my brothers con-
duct"
l stopped him there.
TON was innocent" 1 said "snd what
be lost have restored. You have acknow:
ledsed that there was nothing wrong In his
accounts. You need seek no excuse In his
conduct, Sir"
He lost his temper.
"Do you excuse his destruction OF an
] innocent girl, and abandonment of her and
her child ?" he said.
With one quick movement threw open
the folding doors, and showed him Eva and
her son.
"AIlow me to Introduce you to my broth
er's wife and child, whom he left In my
/ protection"
But his words had made me uneasy.
That evening seated with .he baby on my
lap, l asked Eva where she had been mar
Tied.
ALAS % she cried. eff only knew Tom
took me TO church in a carriage. 1t was in
this very city, but l don't know where 1t
was because l had no certificate of my mar
riage, that dare not go to my brother-my |
dear, noble brother-who has struggled so /
hard, and made himself. unaided, an honor |
able position and a name. knew that |
cruel slander concerning me has been car
ried to him that must almost have broken |
his heart"
took her hands away from her face and
kissed her.
"WeIl find the church" said There
must be no slander about my dear bIotter's
wife"
And l did find it, after few days search.
Then got John Robinson's adress-he was
a lawyer 1 found-aId requested him to
call on me.
he came a wonderfully grave. handsome
man, with something singulsrlg manly and
impressive about him. In my heart 1
thought
mo wonder Eva wept at thought OF his
displeasure. He is worth pleasing, surely"
TOOK hin to the parlor.
Il wish to reconcile you to your sister,
said 'She is my brothers wife"
Then left them together. After an hour
or more, Eva came for me.
"John wants to say goodbye before he
goes,'' said she.
he took my hand il his, and looked into
my eyes.
You are good woman" he said. ear.
nestIY. MAY God bless you, and make you
as truly happy as you have to-day made
me.'
There was something in his mere look and